Currency Ban: Jewellery sales affected at Zaveri Bazaar

City’s wholesale and retail market for bullion, Zaveri Bazaar, witnessed lacklustre trade as sale of gold jewellery slumped owing to scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by Government as part of its clamp down on black money and corruption.

The industry is already passing through bad phase due to lower demand despite ongoing wedding season

“After brisk buying at higher rates for gold till late night on Tuesday, the bullion market witnessed lacklustre trading activity today following ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. People are withholding their purchases of gold jewellery till higher denomination notes will come under circulation,” a leading jeweller, Ajit Shah was quoted by PTI as saying.

According to a PTI report: The industry is already passing through bad phase due to lower demand despite ongoing wedding season. We hope things will improve in the near future, he said.

The demand for gold during ‘Dhanteras’, the gold buying festival and Diwali, remained moderate compared to last year.

Retailers in the city blame the slowdown in economy to global factors.

After a muted Navratri and Dusshera, gold demand saw a slight pickup, but it was mostly on the back of discounts and festive offers.

“Government’s decision to ban old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will see people having more faith in the precious metal than the currency notes. Though, the measure has created havoc for a little while, it’s going to be good for country,” Director, RiddiSiddhi Bullions, Prithviraj Kothari was quoted by PTI as saying.

But perhaps, the biggest factor affecting domestic demand is the continued push towards regulation and accountability that the Government is levelling in general, including the gold market.